Well drilling apparatus



June 26, 1956 F. H. MARcoTTE 2,752,121

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. l0, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 26,1956 F. H, MARCOTTE 2,752,121

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Application October 10, 1952, Serial No. 314,121

2 Claims. ((1255-19) This invention relates to Well drilling apparatus,and more particularly, has reference to a portable apparatus adapted tobe moved to selected sites at which wells are to be drilled, theapparatus being particularly designed for, but not necessarily beingrestricted to, the drilling of water wells.

One important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusof the type described which will be so designed as to increasesubstantially the number of feet that can be drilled in a given time,above that possible with the use of more conventional equipment.

Still another object of importance is to provide an apparatus of thetype stated which, while discharging eiciently the function given above,will still be designed to permit its operation with a minimum number ofworkers.

Still another object of importance is to provide an apparatus as statedwhich, while capable of drilling a well with more rapidity than hasheretofore been the case and with a minimum number of attendants, willstill be adapted for manufacture at a minimum cost.

Yet another object of importance is to provide a well drilling apparatusof the type stated wherein a prime mover will be so linked, in a drivingrelationship to a drill stem, as to shift the drill stem verticallywhile causing rotation of the same, the linkages extending from theprime mover being controllable independently of one another, thus tovary the speed of rotation of the drill stem relative to the rate ofdescent thereof, within a wide range.

Still another object of importance is to provide a well drillingapparatus of the character referred to in which the prime mover willalso be adapted for controlling movement of a sand bucket cable, withthe prime mover being adapted to be selectively linked either to thesand bucket cable or to the cable controlling descent of the drill stem.

A further object of importance is to provide means associated betweenthe drill stem and a derrick from which the drill stem-is suspended,adapted for adding to the gravitational movement of the drill stemshould the formation being drilled resist said gravitational movement.

Yet another object of importance is to provide a well drilling apparatusin which eicient control means are provided adapted, respectively, forcontrolling the speed of the prime mover, braking the drum powered bythe prime mover on which the stem support cable is wound, controllingthe rate of descent of the drill stem, and controlling the rate ofrotation of the drill stern, with all of said remote control means beingoperable from a single location readily accessible to a single operator.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claimsappended thereto, and from the annexed drawings, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a well drilling apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention;

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Figure 2 is a side elevational view in which the front portion of theapparatus hasbeen broken away;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, on anenlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional View, the scale being enlarged still further,taken substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

The well drilling apparatus which I have devised includes a rollableframe designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The frame 10 isrelatively elongated, and includes a pair of side rails 12 of channeledformation, extending the f'ull length of the frame at opposite sidesthereof, said side rails being disposed in spaced, parallel relation.Rear wheels and front wheels are rotatably mounted on the side rails,the front wheels being designated by the reference numeral 14 and beingof the steerable type, and the rear wheels being designated by thereference numeral 16. A draw bar l' is provided, at the front end of theframe, whereby the apparatus can be attached to a suitable tractionvehicle, not shown.

At the front end of the frame, I provide a motor support platform 1S,said platform comprising a plurality of boardsor plates extendingtransversely of and between the respective side rails 12. A prime mover20 is mounted upon the platform 18, and powers a drive shaft 22 (Figure3) to which is keyed a drive sprocket 24 about which is trained a drivechain 26. The chain Z6 is in engagement with driven sprockets 23, 30respectively, disposed at opposite sides of the frame adjacent the primemover, and keyed to shafts extending into transmissions 32, 34 mountedupon the respective side rails 12.

The transmission 32 is part of a linkage extending from the prime moverto a turntable, for rotating' a drill stem to be described hereinafter,and this linkage will be iirst described. The shaft extending from thetransmission 32 is connected by a suitable universal joint to anelongated shaft 36, extending longitudinally of the frame 10 adjacentone of the side rails 12, the shaft 36 being connected at its rear end,by means of a universal joint, to a differential 38. A driven shaftextends upwardly from the differential 38, and keyed thereto is asprocket 40 about which is trained a turntable drive chain 42, meshingwith a peripheral series of teeth 44 (Figure 5) integrally or otherwiserigidly connected to the marginal portion of a turntable 46 ofsubstantial diameter. The turntable 46 is mounted to rotate in ahorizontal plane, adjacent the rear end of the frame 10, and for thepurpose of supporting the turntable for rotation in said plane, Iprovide a turntable support bar 4S extending transversely between andrigidly secured at its opposite ends to the respective side rails 12.Mounted upon the support bar 48, at locations spaced transversely of theframe 10, are anged rollers 5t, the anged portions of said rollers beingdisposed at the lower ends thereof and extending within acircumferential groove 49 provided in the turntable at the undersidethereof. The reduced upper end portions of the rollers are in rollableengagement with the periphery of the turntable 46, and cooperate withthe reduced upper end portions of a second pair of rollers, the secondpair of rollers being mounted upon a second turntable support bar 52extending transversely between the side rails 12v. The second pair ofrollers has been designated by the reference numeral 54, the rollers`54being formed identically to the rollers 5t) and having ilanged lowerends of increased diameter engaging in the peripheral groove 49 of theturntable.

The second bar 52 is mounted for bodily adjustment longitudinally of theframe 10, andto this end, slots 56 are provided in the side' rails 12(Figure 4), receiving hereinafter.

bolts 58 extending upwardly from the opposite ends of the bar 52.

In this way, the turntable is mounted for rotatable movement upon therear end portion of the frame 10.

For the purpose of holding theY chain 42 under a desired amount oftension, the bar 52 can be adjusted longitudinally of the frame v10,carrying with it the rollers 54. These will urge the turntable away fromsprocket 40, thereby to tension the turntable drive chain. It may benoted, in this connection, that the rollers/50 will be so disposed as toprovide Vsuflcient clearance between their anges and the adjacentportion of the turntable, thereby to permit the tension-adjustingmovement of the turntable.

As shown in Figure 5, upon the upper surface of the turntable 46 Iprovide a pair of hinged lids adapted to releasably engage a drill stembushing to be described The lids 60 are at steel plates, hinged directlyto the flat surface of the turntable.

The linkage extending from the transmission 34 is adapted particularlyfor controlling vertically shifting Vmovement of the drill stem embodiedin the apparatus,

and includes an elongated shaft 62 having a universal connection at oneend to the transmission shaft extending from transmission 34, theelongated shaft 62 having a universal connection at its other end to ashaft extendking into a differential 64 bolted to that side rail 12support cable drum 68, with which is associated a brake 70. The brake 70is provided with a handle 72 (see Figure 2), and connected at one end tosaid handle is a brake control cable 74. The cable 74 is extendedrearwardly from the brake, and is passed over a transversely extendingguard rail 76, the guard rail 76 being connected at its opposite ends toside guard rails 78 extending longitudinally of the frame at the rearend thereof, the side guard rails 78 being integral at their rear endswith depending legs 82. Support legs 80 are secured to the front Vendsof the side rails 78, and there is thus provided a framework, extendingabout an operators platform 83. The platform 83 is comprised of aplurality of boards extending transversely between and supported uponthe respective side rails 12 of the frame 10, at theV rear end of theframe 10.

It will thus be seen that one standing upon the platform 83 is adaptedto grasp the free end of the brake control cable 74, thus to set thebrake 70 whenever desired, and provide a brake control for the drum 68.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 66 for rotation therewith is asprocket 84, disposed adjacent a sprocket 88 secured to one end of ashaft 90. It will be readily appreciated that a chain, not shown, can bepassed about the sprockets 84, 88, thus to permit the shaft 90 to berotated whenever desired.

At its opposite ends, the shaft 90 is journaled in bearings carried bythe respective side rails 12, and intermediate the opposite ends of theshaft 90 there is provided a sand bucket cable drum 92, secured to shaft90 to rotate therewith.

Ordinarily, the shaft 90 would not be linked to the shaft 66 forrotation simultaneously therewith. If, however, it is desired to lower asand bucket rope into a hole being drilled, a stem support cable 94wound about the drum 68 is detached from the drum 68, and a sand bucketcable, not shown, is secured to the sand bucket drum 92. A chain is thenpassed about the sprockets 84, 88, and as a result, the lowering of asand bucket cable can be accomplished, without causing vertical movementof the drill stem of the apparatus.

The stem support cable 94, as shown in Figure 2, is trained intermediateits ends about a pulley or sheave 96 rotatably mounted upon the upperends of lupwardly converging derrick arms 98, said derrick arms 98 beingrigidly secured, at their lower ends, to the intermediate portion of arock shaft 100 (Figure 4) journaled at its opposite ends in therespective side rails 12. In this way,

the derrick 98 can be swung upwardly to the opposite longitudinally ofthe respective arms 98 and rigidly secured Vat their opposite ends tosaid arms.

Fixedly secured to the arms 98, Vadjacent the upper ends of said arms,are brackets 102 pivotally connected to the upper ends of braces 104,said braces 104 being pivotally connected, at their lower ends, to theside rails 12 by means of brackets 106. The braces 104 rigidify thederrick, in the upstanding position of the arms 98. It will beunderstood that the pivotal connections of the braces 104 to the siderails 12 can be removed, when the derrick is to be lowered, with saidbraces being supported upon the A frame and extending longitudinally ofthe derrick arms in the lowered position of the derrick arms.

To prevent longitudinal exing of the derrick arms 98, truss rods 108 canbe provided (see Figure 2).

That end of the stem support cable 94 remote from the drum 68, isprovided with a swiveled hook 110, engaging in a swivel bracket 112carried by the upper end of a drill stem section 114. It will beVunderstood that when the cable 94 is wound off from the drum 68, thestern section 114 will be lowered. Retractile movement of the cable 94,on the other hand, raises the stem 114. At the same time, the stemsection 114 is free to rotate during its upward or downward movement,and rotation of the stem section will not wind the cable 94, due to theswiveled connection of the stem section to said cable.

The stem section 114 is part of a drill stem, and slidably circumposedon said drill stem is a bushing 1,16 (see Figures 4 and 5). The bushing116 has a bore extending axially thereof, said bore being non-circularand the drill stem being formed to a complementary nonfcircular crosssection, thus to cause joint rotation of the bushing 116 and the drillstem. Externally, the bushing 116 is of noncircular cross section, andis received between the hinged lids 60, which deline, in the closedposition thereof, an opening complementary to the cross sectional shapeof the bushing 116.

The drill stem, as will be understood, is shiftable vertically of andwithin the bushing 116, and during the vertically shifting movement ofthe drill stem, said drill stem can be rotated, by rotation of theturntable 46. The Vhinged lids 60 engage under a ange formed upon theupper end of the bushing 116, and whenever tools are to be loweredthrough the center opening of the turntable 46, the lids 60 can be swungoutwardly.

Formed in the stem section 114, at locations spaced longitudinallythereof, are openings 118, either of which is adapted to receive a crosspin 120, `engaging under a collar 122 circumposed about the stem section114. A lever 124 has an opening intermediate its ends passing the drillstem section 114. The intermediate part of the lever 124 rests upon thecollar 122, with one end of the lever engaged under a selected'crossbrace 101 of the derrick, and its other end face. Inthis.way,r downwardpressure exerted upon the free end of the levernl24, shown in Figure 2at the left, Awill beeffective to force the drillstem downwardly, shouldgravitational movement of the drill stern within a hole being drilled beresisted by a particularly hard formation encountered within said hole.Ordinarily, the lever 124 would not be used, however.

The drill stem has been designated generally by the reference numeral125, and comprises a plurality of drill stem sections, the uppermostsection being the section 114. A lower section has been designated bythe reference numerm 128, and is detachably coupled to the section 114by means of a coupling 126. It will be understood that as the drilledhole increases in depth, additional sections can be added, at the upperend of the drill stem.

Secured to the lowermost section 128 is an auger 130, said auger beingconnected to the lowermost section for rotation jointly therewith.

Each stem section has a band 132 circumposed thereabout. A forked slip,not shown, would be positioned to straddle each section, engaging underthe band 132 while resting on the turntable when an additional sectionis being added.

A sand bucket cable pulley has been shown at 134, said pulley beingrotatably mounted between the arms 98 a short distance below the pulley96. A sand bucket cable, not shown, is adapted to extend over saidpulley 134, from the drum 92. As previously noted herein, whenever thesand bucket cable is to be used, the stem support cable 94 is detachedfrom its drum 68, and a chain is extended between the sprockets 84, S8.

For the purpose of providing control means for the several parts of theapparatus, a throttle control rod 138 is extended longitudinally of theframe 10, from the throttle of the prime mover 20, said throttle controlrod or cable 138 being hung over the transverse guard rail 76 adjacentthe brake control cable 74. The throttle control cable 138 can begripped by an operator standing upon the platform 83, for controllingthe speed of the prime mover. There is also provided a control cable 140extending to the gear shift handle of the transmission 32, a controlcable 142 extending to the gear shift handle of the transmission 34. Thecables 140, 142 are extended to and are passed over the transverse guardrail 76. In this way, the operator of the apparatus can selectivelycontrol the speed of the prime mover 20, and can also control theshifting in one direction of the transmissions 32, 34 respectively. Atthe same time, a control is atforded for the brake of the drum 68.

By reason of this arrangement, the operator of the equipment can causerotation of the drill stem 128 while holding the drill stem againstvertical movement. Or, conversely, vertical movement of the drill stemis permitted while rotation of the same is prevented. Of course,rotation of the drill stern, simultaneously with vertical movement ofthe drill stem is possible and will be the usual practice. The speed ofrotation of the stem can be varied selectively, relative to the speed ofascent or descent of the stem, by selective shifting of thetransmissions 32, 34 to different gears.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confinedto the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the inventionto be necessarily limited to the specic construction illustrated anddescribed, sinee such construction is only intended to be illustrativeof the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carryout said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehendsany minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In well drilling apparatus, an elongated horizontal frame having afirst end and a second end, a derrick mounted on and rising from saidtrarne on said rst end of the frame, a rotary turntable mounted on theframe at said first end of the frame, a drill stem depending from thederrick and non-rotatably engaging and traversing the turntable, a rstdifferential mounted on said frame near said derrick, said firstdiferential being operatively connected to the turntable, a first driveshaft connected to said rst differential and extending toward the saidsecond end of the frame, a second differential mounted on said framebetween said rst differential and said second end or the frame, a seconddrive shaft connected to said second differential and extending towardsaid second end of the frame, a cable drum mounted on said frame in theregion of said second differential and operatively connected to saidsecond diiierential, a cable Wound on said drum, trained over thederrick and secured to the drill stem, a single prime mover mounted onsaid frame at said second end of the frame, rst and second manuallyoperated transmissions mounted on said frame in the region of said primemover, said rst and second drive shafts being operatively connected tothe rst and second transmissions, respectively, and means operativelyconnecting both of said transmissions to said prime mover.

2. In well drilling apparatus, an elongated horizontal frame having arst end and a second end, a derrick mounted on and rising from saidframe at said rst end of the frame, a rotary turntable mounted on theframe at said rst end of the frame, a drill stem depending from thederrick and nonrotatably engaging and traversing the turntable, a firstdilerential mounted on said frame near said derrick, said rstdifferential being operatively connected to the turntable, a rst driveshaft connected to said first differential and extending toward the saidsecond end of the frame, a second differential mounted on said framebetween said rst differential and said second end of the frame, a seconddrive shaft connected to said second differential and extending towardsaid second end of the frame, a cable drum mounted on said frame in theregion of said second dilerential and operatively connected to saidsecond differential, a cable wound on said drum, trained over thederrick and secured to the drill stem, a single prime mover mounted onsaid frame at said second end of the frame, first and second manuallyoperated transmissions mounted on said frame in the region of said primemover, said trst and second drive shafts being operatively connected tothe first and second transmissions, respectively, and means operativelyconnecting both of said transmissions to said prime mover, an operatorsplatform on said frame at said rst end of the frame, and individualtransmission control means leading from said first and secondtransmissions to said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS503,051 MacEachen Aug. 8, 1893 1,486,247 Hunter Mar. 11, 1924 1,556,107Hamilton Oct. 6, 1925 1,738,101 Graham Dec. 3, 1929 2,098,173 BaldryNov. 2, 1937

2. IN WELL DRILLING APPARATUS, AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL FRAME HAVING AFRIST END AND A SECOND END, A DERRICK MOUNTED ON AND RISING FROM SAIDFRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, A ROTARY TURNTABLE MOUNTED ON THEFRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, A DRILL STEM DEPENDING FROM THEDERRICK AND NONROTATABLY ENGAGING AND TRAVERSING THE TURNTABLE, A FIRSTDIFFERENTIAL MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME NEAR SAID DERRICK, SAID FIRSTDIFFERENTIAL BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE TURNTABLE, A FIRST DRIVESHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIAL AND EXTENDING TOWARD THE SAIDSECOND END OF THE FRAME, A SECOND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEBETWEEN SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIAL AND SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, ASECOND DRIVE SHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL AND EXTENDINGTOWARD SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, A CABLE DRUM MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEIN THE REGION OF SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOSAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL, A CABLE WOUND ON SAID DRUM, TRAINED OVER THEDERRICK AND SECURED TO THE DRILL STEM, A SINGLE PRIME MOVER MOUNTED ONSAID FRAME AT SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, FIRST AND SECOND MANUALLYOPERATED TRANSMISSIONS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME IN THE REGION OF SAID PRIMEMOVER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SHAFTS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TOTHE FIRST AND SECOND TRANSMISSIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND MEANS OPERATIVELYCONNECTING BOTH OF SAID TRANSMISSION TO SAID PRIME MOVER, AN OPERATOR''SPLATFORM ON SAID FRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, AND INDIVIDUALTRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS LEADING FROM SAID FIRST AND SECONDTRANSMISSIONS TO SAID PLATFORM.